WHAT IS THE CORRECT WAY TO ADJUST THE HYDRAULIC LIFTER VALVES WHEN YOU HAVE JUST BUILT THE ENGINE.IT HAS NOT BEEN RUNNING YET

 

One way is to adjust them with the engine running. Back out the adjust nut until the valve start ticking. Slowly tighten it until it stops ticking. Turn the wrench one half turn past that point and you're done. Do that to all of them.

 

When engine is not running, do one cylinder at a time following this method:
1) Rotate engine until exhaust valve just begins to open.
2) Adjust the corresponding intake valve by loosing the nut until the push rod is loose and can be twirled easily between the fingers.
3) Then tighten the rocker down until the pressure can just be starting to be felt as you twirl the push rod. This is the point where the pressure is just starting to depress the spring in the lifter.
4) Tighten an additional 1/4 to 1/2 turn and lock the nut.
5) Then rotate crank until the corresponding intake valve you just adjusted opens and then begins to close.
6) Adjust the corresponding exhaust valve using the same method in steps 2-4.
7) Move to the next cylinder and repeat process.